Bucks' Patrick Beverley Throws Ball at Fans After Playoff Elimination

On May 3, 2024, the Milwaukee Bucks were eliminated from the playoffs by the Indiana Pacers, and Bucks' player Patrick Beverley was involved in a heated incident with fans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. During a break in the game with 2:32 left in the fourth quarter, the 35-year-old Beverley threw a ball at fans sitting behind the Milwaukee bench, hitting an unaware Pacers fan in the head.

Cameras captured the sequence of events: Beverley, sitting on the bench, tossed a ball into the stands, hitting a fan. After a different fan threw the ball back to Beverley, who was holding out his arm to receive it, he fired it back at the spectator with force. Security intervened, and Beverley did not reenter the game. The Bucks lost 120-98 and the series 4-2.

Beverley initially responded to the incident on social media, saying, "Not Fair at all. Exchanged between a fan and our ball club all night. We warned and asked for help all night. Not fair." However, six hours later, he issued another statement: "But I have to be better. And I will." Bucks coach Doc Rivers also spoke to Beverley about the altercation, emphasizing, "That's not the Milwaukee way or the Bucks way. We're better than that. Pat feels awful about that."

During the post-game media session, Beverley refused to answer a question from ESPN producer Malinda Adams because she didn't subscribe to his podcast, a practice he has maintained since joining the Bucks via a trade from the Philadelphia 76ers on February 8. He told Adams to get her microphone out of his face and eventually asked her to leave the interview circle. However, Beverley later called Adams to apologize, which she accepted.

Rivers notedthat Beverley called Adams on his own without being told to do so by the Bucks. "Sometimes they can be in the wrong, but you just can't do those certain things. And he knows that as well,"Rivers said. Beverley finished the game with 6 points, going 3 for 11 from the field and 0 for 3 from three-point range. The Bucks were also without star player Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was absent due to injury.

Key Takeaways

• Patrick Beverley threw a ball at Pacers fans, hitting one in the head, during a playoff game.
• Beverley was involved in a heated incident with fans, leading to his ejection from the game.
• The Bucks lost the game 120-98 and the series 4-2 to the Pacers.
• Beverley initially defended his actions, but later apologized and took responsibility.
• Beverley also refused to answer a question from an ESPN producer, but later called to apologize.